KODIAK, Alaska — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley returned to Kodiak Wednesday following a successful 68-day deployment patrolling more than 12,000 miles throughout the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands.

Alex Haley, known as the “Bulldog of the Bering,” departed Kodiak in July and spent the last two months conducting operations in the Bering Sea and the Aleutian Islands. During the deployment, Alex Haley’s crew performed more than 40 at sea domestic fisheries enforcement boardings, four search and rescue cases, and one rescue and assistance operation.

The Alex Haley crew participated in several community outreach and volunteer events during their patrol that included hosting tours of the ship, meeting with local leadership and two beach cleanups.

“It was a great patrol and we were able to serve a lot of different communities throughout the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands,” said Cmdr. Stephen White, commanding officer, Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley. “The partnerships and relationships we are able to build with people throughout Alaska is what makes working here so rewarding. We look forward to reconnecting with our families and friends in Kodiak before returning to patrol.”

Alex Haley is a 282-foot medium endurance cutter that has been homeported in Kodiak since 1999. Alex Haley routinely conducts operations in the Bering Sea, the Aleutian Islands and the Gulf of Alaska. These operations occur under the tactical control of the 17th Coast Guard District in Juneau. The 17th Coast Guard District encompasses the entire state of Alaska, as well as the coastal and offshore waters seaward over several thousands of miles.